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Officers honored for combating drunk driving

Posted at 4:00 PM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-12 10:14:06-04

Every year the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving honors officers from area departments who have made the most DUI arrests in their jurisdiction.

Officer Josie Hall, one of this year's award recipients, has worked with the Suffolk police department for eight years.

"I'm very passionate about DUI investigations," she told News 3.  "I believe that every night there's always someone on the road intoxicated.  It's just a matter of if they crash into somebody or if they safely make it home."

This is the second year in a row she's been honored with a MADD award.  This year, though, there was a familiar face at the ceremony.  Her husband, Deputy Jeremy Hall was honored for his work with the Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office.

"It's a very thankless job a lot of times, so it's a great honor to get to have something like that when they do give us the MADD award," Deputy Hall said.

There is a little teasing between the two about who really came out on top.  Officer Josie Hall came in first place for the city of Suffolk with 12 arrests, while Deputy Jeremy Hall had 13 arrests but came in second place in his department.

But in the end, this crime fighting couple says there is one reason why the numbers do matter, and it's because of what they represent.

"I was able to feel like I prevented 12 deaths, or I prevented DUIs from happening in my city," said Officer Josie Hall.

"That's why we're out, patrolling the area and trying to cut down on the DUIs," said Deputy Jeremy Hall.